Additional HEC-RAS

Modeling Features
Upstream Section
Last Coordinate

Left Bank

Right Bank

First Coordinate

Invert
Interpolated
Section

Downstream Section

Objective
To allow you to become familiar with some of the
optional capabilities in HEC-RAS

Optional Capabilities

Multiple Plan Analysis

Effective Area Option
Cross Section Interpolation
Graphical Editing Features
Mixed Flow Regime Calculations
Flow Distribution Calculations
Inline Weirs and Gated Spillways

Multiple Plan Analysis

Project File: filename.prj

Geometry Data
filename.g01

Geometry Data
filename.g02

Geometry Data
filename.g03

Steady Flow Data

filename.f01

Plan 2
filename.p02

Plan 3
filename.p013

Run File 1
filename.r01

Run File 2
filename.r02

Run File 3
filename.r03

Output File 1
filename.o01

Output File 2
filename.o02

Output File 3
filename.o03

Plan 1
filename.p01

Notes on Plans
Modifications can be made to the geometry
and/or flow data, and then saved in separate
files.
Plans are formulated by selecting a particular
geometry file and a particular flow file.
The multiple plan option is useful when, for
example, a comparison of existing conditions
and future channel modifications are to be
analyzed.

Multiple Plan Option

Can be used to perform a design of a specific
geometric feature.
For example, if you are sizing a bridge
opening, a separate geometry file could be
developed for a base condition (no bridge),
and then separate geometry files could be
developed for each possible bridge
configuration.
A plan would consist of a flow file and one of
the geometry files. Computations are
performed for each plan individually.

Viewing tables and graphs

Once the computations are performed for all the
plans, the user can then view output in a graphical and
tabular mode for any single plan or combination of
plans.

Ineffective flow areas

KE = V2/2g, where V =Q/A
Velocity head is associated with flow in downstream
direction
If area in the cross section is not carrying flow it
should not be included
The ineffective area option of RAS is used for this

Example:
Ineffective Flow Areas at a Bridge
Four cross sections are needed to describe the active flow area for flow
through the bridge opening
Lc

Le

CR

Flow

ER

BU BD

assumed flow transition

pattern for 1-dimensional
modeling

typical flow
transition pattern

Designation of Ineffective Area

Related to Type of Bridge Flow

Types of Bridge Flow

Low flow through bridge opening
Pressure flow through bridge opening
Weir flow
Pressure and weir flow
High flows over bridge and approaches

Cross Sections at Bridge

Location of Cross Sections 2 and 3
Bounding sections for bridge
Define bridge interior for upstream and downstream bridge sections
Must be defined before bridge data are input
Usually have ineffective flow area defined
Lc

Le

CR

Flow

ER

BU BD

assumed flow transition

pattern for 1-dimensional
modeling

typical flow
transition pattern

Ineffective Flow Areas at Cross

Section 2

Ineffective Flow Area Stations and Elevations

Defining Ineffective Area

Permanently block out area
Block out area until water surface reaches a given
elevation
Multiple blocks
Use a levee
Use very high n-value in regions with very low velocity

Normal Blocked Obstructions

Blocked
obstructions
decrease
flow area and
add wetted
perimeter
when the
water comes
in contact
with the
obstruction

Multiple Blocked Obstructions

Up to 20
individual blocks
can be defined.
The left station,
right station, and
an elevation are
entered for each
of the blocks.

Ineffective Area Option

The area is included
in the storage
calculations, but it is
not included as part
of the active flow area.

Left Ineffective
Flow Station

No additional wetted
perimeter is added to
the active flow area.
Right Ineffective
Flow Station

Levee Option

Left Levee
Station

No water can
go to the left of
the left levee
station or to the
right of the right
levee station
until the levee
elevations are
exceeded.

Levee Added

Left Levee Station

and Elevation

A vertical wall is
placed up to the
established levee
height. Additional
wetted perimeter
is included when
water comes into
contact with the
levee wall.

Cross Section Interpolation

May Be Needed When:
The change in velocity head is too large
To better model friction losses
To prevent the program from defaulting to critical
depth
To generate a smoother plot of the water surface
profile

Cross Section Interpolation

Upstream Section
Last Coordinate

Left Bank

Right Bank

First Coordinate

Invert
Interpolated
Section

Downstream Section

Interpolation within a Reach

Interpolation between 2 Sections

Adding Additional Master Cords

Cross Section Interpolation

CAUTION: Automatic interpolation should not be used
as a replacement for required cross section data!
Interpolation can improve model calculations
(especially for unsteady flow analysis)

Graphical Editing Features

Modified geometry

Mixed Flow Calculations

Steady Flow Calculations

Subcritical Flow
Supercritical Flow
Mixed Flow
Unsteady Flow Calculations
Subcritical Flow
Supercritical Flow
Mixed Flow

Mixed Flow
Mixed Flow

Plan: Mixed Flow Plan

Mixed Reach

76

Legend
EG PF 1

74

WS PF 1
Crit PF 1

72

Ground
Elevation (ft)

70
68
66
64
62
60

500

1000

1500

2000

Main Channel Distance (f t)

2500

3000

Specific Force Equation

Force mass acceleration

F ma
2

Q1 1
g A1

A1 Y 1

Q2 2
g A2

A2 Y 2

Flow Distribution Option

Critical Creek - Example 1

Plan: Existing Conditions

Upstream Boundary - XSec 12

.1

.04

.1
Legend

1816

EG 100 yr
WS 100 yr
Crit 100 yr

1814

0 ft/s
1 ft/s

1812

2 ft/s
3 ft/s

Elevation (ft)

The flow distribution

option allows the
user to see in
different parts of the
cross section:
The amount of flow
The flow velocity

4 ft/s

1810

5 ft/s
6 ft/s
7 ft/s

1808

8 ft/s
9 ft/s
10 ft/s

1806

11 ft/s
12 ft/s

1804

13 ft/s
Ground
Bank Sta

700

720

740

760
Station (ft)

780

800

Setting the Flow Distribution

Locations

Plotting Velocity Distribution

Velocity Distribution Plot

Critical Creek - Example 1

Plan: Existing Conditions

Upstream Boundary - XSec 12

.1

.04

.1
Legend

1816

EG 100 yr
WS 100 yr
Crit 100 yr

1814

0 ft/s
1 ft/s

1812

2 ft/s

Elevation (ft)

3 ft/s
4 ft/s

1810

5 ft/s
6 ft/s
7 ft/s

1808

8 ft/s
9 ft/s
10 ft/s

1806

11 ft/s
12 ft/s

1804

13 ft/s
Ground
Bank Sta

700

720

740

760
Station (ft)

780

800

Flow Distribution Output

CAUTION
Flow distribution varies vertically and horizontally (all
flows are 3-D in nature )
HEC-RAS is a 1-D model
Flow distribution is based on area and wetted
perimeter of each flow slice (using fewer slices is
generally better)

Inline Weirs and Gated Spillways

Inline Weir and Gated Spillay - Ex 12

Plan: Gated Spillway

30

Legend
Ground
Ineff

20

Elevation (ft)

Bank Sta

10

-10

-20

200

400

600
Station (ft)

800

1000

Sluice and Radial Gates

Sluice Gate

Broad Crested Spillway

Radial Gate

Ogee Spillway Crest

Gate openings can handle both submerged and

unsubmerged conditions

Cross Section Layout

Overflow Weir

Gated Spillways

FLOW

FLOW

CONTRACTION
REACH
4

EXPANSION
REACH
3

Inline Weir Editor

Weir/Embankment

Gate Editor

Setting the Gate Opening

Recap

We covered:
Multiple Plan Analysis
Effective Area Option
Cross Section Interpolation
Flow Regimes
Flow Distribution Calculations
Inline Weirs and Gated Spillways